“I open my mouth and pant,
because I long for your commandments.” (Ps. 119:131)

“My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
that I may mediate on your promise.” (Ps. 119:148)

“In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.” (Ps. 119:14, 16)

Jack Lewis, the Balding Bible Study Dog (BBSD) hasn’t had much energy to pursue his biblical studies this week. He has been absorbed in his culinary interests, including his highly vocal prayers for the high-protein diet that his ancestors ate on the African Savannah, anytime he believes I might be receptive to his entreaties. Jack, the BBSD, has learned well the lessons of his early Bible study on the unjust judge and the widow (see my post of 7/21/14, “Prayer – Part Uno/Uns/Eins/One”). However, Jack has not finished his studies on the importance of seeking, not only the hand, but also the face. When Jack Lewis’ prayers are in the discernment phase, he stares intently into my eyes, with his eagerness offered as a sign of intense desire. But when Jack smells the food, his interest turns completely to my hand or wherever he suspects the food is. People are like this too. Sometimes, we seek God’s Hand and not his Face; we are more interested in what God can give us, than we are in him, and spending time with him; more interested in the gifts than the Giver. We treat God like a Coke machine: we place our money (prayers) in the Coke machine (God) and automatically receive what we want.

But a few days ago, I gave Jack Lewis a bone with a little meat on it, from my plate. He ran off with it protectively, which is typical canine behavior (there are a lot of nutrients in the marrow, and a dog/wolf may bury it to dig it up later when nourishment is scarce). In a few minutes, the BBSD returned with the bone, to enjoy it in my presence, while he lay beside me companionably, as I worked at my desk. Was he grateful? Or had he found that his pleasure is greater when he is with the Pack Leader? In any case, Jack has made progress in understanding personal relationships. And, I felt warm inside, enjoying Jack’s pleasure.

In Psalm 1, we can read that the happy/blessed one, who doesn’t sit in “the seat of scoffers” (see my post, “How To Treat A Fool” of 1/22/15), has “his delight is the law [torah, instruction] of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” In the past we have considered several kinds of Christian prayer and meditation. Now, I want to point to a Word-focused (Bible) meditation that: 1) involves one’s senses (taste, sight, hearing, touch, etc.); 2) is continuous, “day and night”; and 3) is before the face of God (Lat. coram Deo), with an awareness of his presence.

1) The Hebrew word behind the word in Psalm 1, usually translated in English as “meditates”, has the idea of rolling the words around in one’s mouth, like say, a lozenge or smooth stone, and enjoying, not just the meaning of the words, but also the sound, feel, almost taste of the words. This has been compared to a cow chewing its cud. I see this sort of meditation as not only a focused time of meditation, but also the reality of taking portions of the Bible, maybe even just a couple of words, and repeating them, memorizing them, considering them along side of one’s everyday experiences. This can also be an audible reality. Jack makes varied sounds as he pursues his culinary interests: he snorts, moans, yelps, snaps his teeth, his nails clicking on the tiles, as Jack Lewis dances with delight.

2) A video was commended on the internet recently, encouraging us to focus more on face-to-face encounters than on our Iphones, lap-tops, androids, computers, etc. I agree that face-to-face encounters are best. However, technology helps me to continuously feed on the Word. My rehab period from my foot surgery keeps being drawn out, but I keep thinking of others too, like stay-at-home mothers, who will understand what I am talking about. I still believe in the quiet forms of prayer and meditation that I have written about in earlier posts. But, here is how a few hours of continuous meditation on Scripture sometimes looks for me: 1. I listen to four Scripture readings on a podcast; 2. I read several devotional readings on my Kindle; 3. I copy down some Bible texts to memorize, and paste some quotes found yesterday on the internet, or in my reading, in a notebook. I look at and repeat the memory verses throughout the day, so that they become more a part of me (eating), and so that the verses and everything else I experience today can be seen together, and so that they shed light on each other. 4. I turn on the Christian praise music loud; alternative and/or mainstream music is for later in the day. 5. I begin my work, checking in with my Christian friends from around the world (BTW, this blog is read in many countries, and I’m grateful for every reader). I live in the story of God’s kingdom coming, surrounded by the Word and words like this:

It is noisy and it is a kind of multitasking. Let me say two things about that: one) I value the life of the mind and would not be a Christian today with out it, because once you have been educated beyond a certain point, you cannot go back; reading the Bible only is not an option. But, you must go forward to love God with all your mind. Still, I probably would not be a Christian today without music; I thank God frequently that I lived long enough to hear The Violet Burning. I am an unreconstructed rocker and still play my electric and acoustic guitars. This is an important “love language” that God has for me. two) Isn’t multitasking a logical application of Brother Lawrence’s “Practicing the Presence of God”? Brother Lawrence would recall God to mind in his daily tasks, like washing the dishes.

3) Finally, I am calling for multitasking before God! I assume God is speaking to me through the Bible texts I have been led to. I talk with him noisily, softly and silently about every bit of torah (instruction) that comes from his mouth. I talk with him about all the opportunities that are before us today. When a skill is needed, I ask Jesus, the Smartest Man Whoever Lived, about what I should do. Yeshua ALWAYS comes through! Sometimes we just sit companionably and enjoy each other’s company while I eat noisily, feasting on the Word. I think often of these words from the song, “You Won’t Relent” (2008) by Jesus Culture: “I don’t want to talk about You, like You’re not in the room; Wanna to look right at You, Wanna sing right to You…”

Note that the one who “meditates day and night” on Scripture is given these promises:

“He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:3)

This post was powered by the CD, “Saved” (1980) by Bob Dylan, the CD, “Hearts In Exile” (2011) by Journey Worship, the CD, “Your Love Never Fails” (2008) by Jesus Culture, and the CD, “Borderland” (2014) by John Mark McMillan.